Four years ago, Canon launched a 15-Mpix compact sensor for the Canon PowerShot G10, but the RAW image quality was quite disappointing. A year later, the Canon PowerShot G11, successor to the PowerShot G10, featured a 10 MPix sensor which was much better in low-light conditions that its predecessor.

Canon PowerShot S100 vs its predecessors

Compared to the older G10 and G11, and to the product the S100 replacing, the S95, the PowerShot S100 doesn’t show any weakness in term of Low-Light performance, and offers close but better Color Depth and Dynamic Range results. As we already mentioned, the S100 offers this equivalent image quality, but with 3 million more pixels.

Canon vs Nikon

But it is worth having a broader look at the competition. So let’s take into account the new arrival of interchangeable-lens compact cameras, and compare the Canon Powershot S100 with the Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1. Here, the Nikon 1 cameras win in term of image quality, but also in term of versatility, given their capacity use a variety of lenses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the PowerShot S100 is among the best, if not the best high-end compact camera on the market. But the bigger question is whether the category itself will succumb to the arrival of the interchangeable-lens compact cameras. The price difference will definitely be the main criteria in the decision.

Further readings for the Canon PowerShot S100: Test and review

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.

Comments

Inappropriate Comparison

Merely because S100 is that good that receives a score so close to Nikon J/V 1, is not an acceptable reason to compare them. Sensor wise, canon S100 has a sensor of 43mm² while this parameter for Nikon J/V 1 is almost triple at about 123mm². Canon S100 is solely a magnificent camera and based on dependable comparison provided by DxO Mark, there isn't even one camera with this size of sensor which can deliver such an image quality. In my understanding Pentax Q would be a proper rival which has a bit smaller sensor and received a respectable score of 47.

Wrong market analysis

The real big question is: do you want to buy a much bigger camera that is not very much better in term of picture quality, like the Nikon J1 and V1. The picture quality / size ratio of the Canon S100 is really great. It's just 5 point behind the Nikon camera but easely fit in the pocket of a jacket. Can't say the same of all the interchable-lens camera.